Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly named royal baby Archie after the Duchess’ pet cat

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to have named their son Archie after the Duchess' pet cat.

Royal baby Archie, who arrived on Monday, is believed to have been named after both Meghan Markle’s pet cat and a vintage US comic that she used to collect as a child, according to one of the Duchess’ former friends.

The newest royal’s non-traditional moniker, which was revealed by the couple on Wednesday, is said to be a nostalgic nod to the new mum’s beloved pet who she used to show off to friends and who was also loved by Meghan’s mum, Doria Ragland.

‘Doria rescued Archie and he became an important part of the household,’ an old friend of the Duchess of Sussex told The Sun. ‘Meghan loved playing with him and she was always talking about him to her friends.

‘It’s no surprise she named her new baby Archie,’ continued the friend. ‘She loved that cat.’

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The beloved pet, who is believed to have passed away while Meghan was away at university in Illinois, is said to have been named after the protagonist in US comic Archie, which the Duchess collected as a child with dad Thomas Markle.

‘She would spend her weekends going to vintage stores to buy the comics,’ said the friend.

Meghan is said to have been ‘obsessed’ with the American comic, which has now been remade into popular TV programme Riverdale, that follow Archie Andrews and his friends.